Ice Breakers: NHL on high alert with COVID-19 cases rising
The concern over COVID-19 is very high for the NHL right now.
Frank Seravalli talked in Tuesday’s edition of Ice Breakers on The Daily Faceoff Show that the NHL is on high alert with COVID-19 positive tests rising around the league. He also provided updates on the Chicago Blackhawks general manager search, the turmoil in Vancouver, and Bryan Rust’s injury.
Seravalli: “The entire NHL is bracing at this point. You look at what the Ottawa Senators have dealt with, what the New York Islanders have dealt with, their games postponed through tonight. And then you see these other COVID cases that are now popping up, Tony DeAngelo and Brett Pesce from the Carolina Hurricanes, the Edmonton Oilers today canceled their practice for precautionary reasons, St. Louis Blues are taking media and press conferences back to a Zoom environment.
It seems the concern level is back to an all-time high. What this does is two things. It puts the Olympics in further jeopardy, there are players who are voicing increased concerns of their potential for a positive test while in Beijing, which would put them in isolation for three weeks. That’s something to monitor and as a whole with this new variant, a lot of this has started with some outbreaks in the AHL.
Multiple teams with multiple positive tests, you see the Providence Bruins, they can’t send anyone up to the Boston Bruins because they’re dealing with their own COVID issues, so there might be some restrictions coming when it comes to what happens back and forth between AHL and NHL. A reason why the Taxi Squad worked so well last year is that you’ve had players who were with the group the whole time, you aren’t having to introduce very many new players to your team.
Also, some sad news on that COVID front, the NHL sent out a memo to all 32 teams on Monday afternoon effectively canceling all holiday parties. They’re also requesting that teams refrain from autograph sessions open to the public, public speaking engagements, and public charity events.”
#NHL on high alert with COVID-19 positive tests rising, as mentioned on Ice Breakers 🧊🏒 segment today.
This memo was sent to all 32 teams yesterday, effectively canceling all holiday parties, in addition to public engagements and events. pic.twitter.com/9dsrs3DeZc
Next up, Seravalli spoke about the Chicago Blackhawks’ pursuit of a new general manager…
“The returns and feedback that the Blackhawks have received from Kyle Davidson and what he’s done in his leadership role over the last month as interim GM have been very positive. There’s been no decision to this point yet but all indications are that they really like the work and communication that’s gone on between Kyle Davidson and also Blackhawks ownership.
I think he’s a strong candidate moving forward to be that next general manager of the Blackhawks. Do they bring in someone from a President of Hockey Operations standpoint to lend some experience to Davidson? We’ll see.
But one name I wanted to point out is Brian Campbell, the former Blackhawks defenseman, who won a Stanley Cup in Chicago. It seems like he’s taking on an increased role and presence around the team. He’s been on recent road trips, sitting in on meetings. No idea yet on what a formal title might be or what a formal role might look like, but he’s certainly a candidate of interest to have a long-term role in Chicago’s front office.”
Another team in turmoil is the Vancouver Canucks. Seravalli spoke about whether we can expect a change in Vancouver…
“There have been lots of names mentioned in recent days and it’s been difficult to decipher what’s truth and what’s fiction when you look at some of them out there.
Dale Tallon’s name has been connected to the Canucks, is that real? Jim Rutherford, is there interest there? I think one internal candidate that’s popped up is Ryan Johnson, the general manager in Abbotsford (AHL). Do they go down the President of Hockey Operations route as well?
These are all things the Aquilinis are sorting out at the moment. It certainly feels as though change is inevitable and I think it’s created an awkward environment for the Canucks players, who are seeing and hearing these reports and wondering, what’s next? Is head coach Travis Green’s job safe?
We’ll see. There’s a lot of moving parts in Vancouver. It feels like changes are inevitable there”
Shifting back to the ice, Seravalli had an update on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Bryan Rust, who’s dealing with a lower-body injury…
“At this point, it seems at this point that Bryan Rust doesn’t need surgery. That’s certainly been a concern but he’s going to try to play through it. When he’s been in the lineup this year, he’s been a very productive player, nine points in 12 games.
It’s an important year for Rust, a contract year, an important year for the Penguins, in general, to try to make ground in that Metropolitan Division and give themselves every opportunity at a playoff spot.
So, at this point, Rust doesn’t need surgery. It’s been an annoying and nagging injury, but something to keep an eye on.”
Finally, we have a note out of Philadelphia, as Flyers general manager Chuck Fletcher has called for a press conference. Is head coach Alain Vigneault on the hot seat?
“He’s not yet, but I think the temperature is certainly rising in Philadelphia. You look at where this team is at in the standings and the expectations from all of the moves they made. They’ve shown some real bright spots to this point, some impressive road wins against the Edmonton Oilers, Carolina Hurricanes, some of the top teams in the league.
You look at their current skid, 2-6-2 in their last 10, right at .500 hockey this year. This team was expecting a lot more this year and had gotten off to a good start and I do think there’s some chatter continuing to rise about Alain Vigneault.
But, at this point, he’s not on the hot seat. Chuck Fletcher is calling a press conference today in Philadelphia to give his thoughts on the team as they reach the quarter mark of the season.”
You can watch the full episode here…